Improvement in powder-flasks



J. H. BRECKENRIDGE.

Flask and Charger. No.-19,342 Patented Feb. 16, 1858.

N, PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGHAPMER, WISHINGTON. Uv C.

J. ll. BRECKFXRIDGE, OF

IMPROVEMENT IN Parent @rrrcrz.

MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

POWDER-FLASKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. B93412, dated February 153, lei-5r.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. H. BRECKENRIDGE, of Heriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Powder-Flasks; and I do hereby delelare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of apowder-flask with my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan of the head of the same,

. with the upper plate removed, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the same at the line a m of Fig. 2.

The object of my invention is to permit charges of powder for fire-arms to be measured out and charged with greater speed and less movement of the fingers of the operator than has hitherto been customary; and my invention is particularly applicable to the powderflasks used in connection with many-chambered firearms where it-is advantageous to be able to measure out a number of charges of powder in rapid succession.

In powder-flasks most generally in use the quantity of powder necessary for a charge is measured out by means of a tube of the requisite length, which is closed at the end nearer the flask by a sliding spring-valve or cut-off, and is open at the opposite end; hence in measuring out a charge of powder it is necessary first to close the open end of the tube or charger by the finger before opening the cut-oft'to permit powder to enter the charger from the flask.

In charging a series of chambers or barrels in succession, the movement of the finger and the corresponding movement of the flask to permit of this movement of the finger consume a considerable portion of the whole time required in charging the fire-arm. In order to obviate this defect, the cut-off A in the powder-flask in the accompanying drawings is formed of a block of metal of sufficient size and thickness to contain a chamber, B, large enough to hold the charge of powder, and the chamber is in this instance divided into three divisions by means of two transverse partitions, 0 0. This chambered cut-off slides be tween two plates, D and E, the one of which, D, separates it from the flask F, while the other, E, has secured to it altube, G, or directrix, through which the charge of powder is poured into the fire-arm. Each of the plates has an opening in it, the one, 1', communicating with the interior of the flask and the other, 0, with the tube G; and the cut-off is constructed in such manner that it can be slid to and fro to place its chamber in connection with each opening; but the two openings are not opposite to each other, so that when any division of the chambered cut-off is in communication with the one opening it is not in communication with the other. The cutoff is guided by causing it to move in a shallow groove formed in the inner plate, D. It is fitted with a spring, m, which tends to keep it in such a position that its chamber B communicates through the opening t with the interior of the flask and with a thumb-piece, H, by which it can be moved to place its chamber in communication with the tube G through the opening 0.

\Vhen the powder-flask thus described contains powder and is turned head downward, powder passes into and fills the chamber. If, then, the nozzle of the tube G be placed in a fire-arm, and the cutoff be moved by the pressure of the thumb of the operator on the thumb-piece H, the divisions of the chamber are caused to pass in succession from the opening 2', communicating with the flask, to the opening 0, communicating with the tube G, and the powder contained in the divisions of the chamber is permitted to discharge itself laxation of the pressure of the thumb permits the cut-off to spring back again and receive a new charge of powder from the flask, which, by the pressure of the thumb, may be again discharged; hence in this powder-flask the movement of the thumb alone is sufficient to measure out a charge ofpowder, and if aseries of barrels or a series of chambers are to be charged in succession no more movement of the flask is required than what is necessary to transfer the tube from one barrel or one chamher to another.

As the chamber of the cutoff is divided by tirely cut off or separated from that in the flask before it begins to pass to the fire-arm, thus diminishing the risk of accidentally exploding the latter by the communication of fire. This division of the chamber also perthrough the tube into the fire-arm. The repartitions, the powder in each division is enmits the holes in the two plates to be placed more nearly opposite each other than they would have to be if the chamber were not divided, for in the latter case the cut-off would have to be moved a greater distance before the communication between any portion of the powder in it and that in the flask was cut off. A less movement of the cut-off is therefore necessary, and the head of the flask may con sequently be made of smaller size. The division of the chamber also permits an easy arrangement for varying the quantity of powder charged. Thus a setscrew may be placed opposite to the thumb-piece, so as to limit the movement of the cut-off, and thus permit but one or two divisions of the chamber to be placed in communication with the opening into the tube, instead of the Whole.

J. H. BRECKENRIDGE.

\Vitn esses:

R. H. FosTER, HIRAM FosTEn. 

